The job requires a willingness to be patient, not just for the batter's own sake but for that of his teammates. Minnesota leadoff hitter Denard Span his first at-bat was for the benefit of his teammates, who were able to see some pitches before taking their own turns.

For a team like the Red Sox, who preach patience and expect their hitters to make opposing pitchers work, an overly aggressive leadoff man who look especially out of place.

In past years, whenever he has slumped, Ellsbury was been dropped from first to the bottom of the order, usually as a temporary measure. That could happen again in 2011, but as spring training games begin Sunday, the leadoff job is Ellsbury's to lose.

Should Ellsbury be in position to get more plate appearances than any of his All-Star teammates?

Francona thinks that will answer itself with time.

"Sometimes your guys that can run are better off at the bottom of the order,'' the manager said.

"If you have a guy that can steal 70 bases at the top of the order, that's a weapon. If he's not getting on base, it's not much of a weapon.''

If Ellsbury does not hit leadoff, he would likely hit ninth. Years ago, and even on many teams today, that would constitute a demotiion, but not here.

Stealing bases as the leadoff man also comes with the responsibility of almost never being caught.

With a host of strong RBI options to follow, the Red Sox do not want their baserunners erased by getting thrown out. Even Crawford has expressed awareness of that.

The rest of the order will be affected by where Crawford hits.

The No. 2 man's main job was once to use bat control and move the leadoff runner along. As a player, Francona did it himself.

Now it's a hybrid role of power, batsmanship and if possible, speed. It has been Pedroia's natural spot, and is probably Crawford's as well.

Batting Ellsbury and Crawford back-to-back at tht top will almost certainly not happen. Francona wants speed at bot the top and bottom of the order, a luxury of balance he has never had.

He also likes to alternate left-handed and right-handed hitters,making it more difficult for opponents to bring in lefties from the bullpen.

Adrian Gonzalez is the consummate No. 3 hitter, a combination of power and average. Kevin Youkilis has blossomed into an able cleanup man.

Youkilis has hit 75 home runs since 2008, despite missing the last two months of 2010 with a thumb injury.

David Ortiz found his stroke after a poor start last year. He finished with 32 home runs, but after a career of hitting third or fourth, he is comfortable with a lower spot, probably sixth.

That means if Ellsbury leads off, Crawford could hit third, or fifth if Gonzalez hits third.

Gonzalez could also hit fifth.. Doing so, though, would place two powerful left-handers back-to-back - with Ortiz in the odd, unfamiliar role as Gonzalez' protector.

As for leadoff men, the Red Sox still have Marco Scutaro, who did the task after Ellsbury was hurt in 2010. Scutaro hit .275 and was an acceptable No. 1 hitter, but it's hard to see him that prominently featured in this ramped-up lineup.

The Red Sox are not worried. All of the options look good.

The parties involved seem comfortable with whatever choices pan out. As quandaries go, the question of the Red Sox batting order raises more pleasant questions than most.